Fiasp vs. Novolog for Diabetes Type 2 and Diabetes Type 1: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Key takeaways

Fiasp (insulin aspart) and NovoLog (insulin aspart) are both fast-acting insulins used to control blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. While they share the same active ingredient, insulin aspart, Fiasp contains additional ingredients, niacinamide (vitamin B3) and L-arginine, which help it work faster than NovoLog. You can inject Fiasp at the start of a meal or within 20 minutes after starting a meal, whereas NovoLog needs to be injected 5 to 10 minutes before a meal. Fiasp starts working in about 16-20 minutes, while NovoLog begins to lower blood sugar within 15 minutes. Fiasp's effects last about 5 to 7 hours, compared to NovoLog's 2 to 4 hours. Both medications can cause weight gain and low blood sugar. Fiasp is available in various forms, including vials, pens, and cartridges, while NovoLog is available as vials, cartridges, and prefilled pens.

Fiasp

(Insulin aspart)

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NovoLog

(insulin aspart)

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Summary for Fiasp

Prescription only

Fiasp (Insulin aspart) is a fast-acting insulin. It helps control blood sugar levels in adults and children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2). It's similar to insulin apart (Novolog), but it works more quickly because it contains niacinamide and L-arginine, which help with absorption. Fiasp comes as a vial, Fiasp Flextouch pen, Fiasp PenFill cartridge, and Fiasp PumpCart cartridge. This medication is given as an injection under the skin or through a continuous insulin pump. Some common side effects include upper respiratory tract infections and the common cold.

Indications for Fiasp

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) in adults and children ages 2 years and older
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) in adults

Pros and Cons for Fiasp

Pros

Starts to work within 20 minutes to control your blood sugar levels after meals
Can be used in people with liver or kidney problems, unlike other oral diabetic medications
Available as a vial, pen, and cartridges for insulin pumps
An option for children

Cons

Given as an injection
Higher risk of low blood sugar compared to diabetes medications that are taken by mouth
Needs to be given multiple times per day
Must be used with every meal

Common Side Effects for Fiasp

Adults:

Common cold (20-24%)
Respiratory tract infection (7-9%)
Urinary tract infection (6%)
Nausea (5%)
Back pain (4-5%)
Diarrhea (3-5%)

Children:

Respiratory tract infections (8-23%)
Flu (6-8%)
Runny nose (4-6%)
Headache (6-10%)
Fever (6-8%)
Vomiting (3-8%)

Warnings for Fiasp

Spread of infections from sharing injection supplies
Risk of high and low blood sugar levels
Dangerously low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia)
Low blood potassium levels
Swelling from fluid buildup and risk of heart failure when taken with certain blood sugar medications
Dangerously high blood sugar levels or buildup of ketones (for people who use insulin pump)

Summary for Novolog

Prescription only

NovoLog (insulin aspart) is a fast-acting insulin for adults and children with diabetes. It lowers your blood sugar levels by moving the sugar into your body so it can be used for energy. NovoLog (insulin aspart) is available as vials and ready-to-use prefilled pens. It's typically injected under the skin at mealtimes, but it can also be given as an infusion into the veins by a healthcare provider for people in the hospital. Side effects include headache and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

Indications for Novolog

Type 1 diabetes in adults and children
Type 2 diabetes in adults

Pros and Cons for Novolog

Pros

Starts to work within 10 minutes to lower blood sugar levels
Dose can be easily adjusted to make treatment tailored to your specific needs
Can use if you have liver or kidney problems
Available as a prefilled pen for easier and convenient use

Cons

Given multiple times per day (before each meal)
Must give as an injection
Might be hard for some people to inject properly
Risk of low blood sugar and weight gain

Common Side Effects for Novolog

Type 1 diabetes:

Severely low blood sugar (17%)
Headache (12%)
Accidental injury (11%)
Nausea (7%)
Diarrhea (5%)

Type 2 diabetes:

Muscles slow to react (11%)
Severely low blood sugar (10%)
Fungal nail infection (10%)
Impairment of your senses (9%)
Urinary tract infection (8%)
Sinus infection (5%)
Chest pain (5%)
Stomach pain (5%)
Headache (5%)
Skin problems (5%)

Warnings for Novolog

Spread of infections from sharing injection supplies
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Low blood potassium levels
Swelling from fluid buildup and risk of heart failure when taken with certain blood sugar medications
Dangerously high blood sugar levels or buildup of ketones (for people who use insulin pump)